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Mercedes-Benz has rolled out its future-bound Ener-G-Force concept at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show, and the off-roader looks even more like a people-scale Tonka truck in person. In addition to the hydrogen-powered G-Class successor from the year 2025, Mercedes unveiled the 2014 SLS AMG Black Series.

The Mercedes Ener-G-Force concept, which began life as a sketch entered in the Los Angeles Design Challenge 2012’s “Highway Patrol Vehicle 2025” competition, looks like a life-size toy with its comically large wheels and tires and low roofline. In person, details like the G-shaped LED headlamps, matte-silver finish, and ultra-wide tires help the concept stand out. As we previously reported, the concept sports an electric drivetrain fed by a “hydro-tech convertor” system. That futuristic setup separates the hydrogen from water stored in tanks on the roof, and converts it into electricity for the four individual in-wheel motors. The hydrogen fuel can be stored in the vehicle’s modular side skirts, which can be swapped for battery packs. Mercedes says the Ener-G-Force concept’s hydrogen system nets a 500-mile range. Because it’s intended to be a successor to the venerable G-Wagen, the Ener-G-Force concept also boasts (hypothetical) off-road capability. A roof-mounted topographical scanner called “Terra-Scan” maps the terrain and automatically adjusts the vehicle’s damping and spring rates for optimal performance.

Looking just as menacing as it does in pictures, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series took the stage in L.A. to show off its bright yellow paint scheme and vent-laden, carbon fiber-accented bodywork. Producing 622 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque from its tuned 6.2-liter V-8, the Black Series is up 39 hp, but down 11 lb-ft, from the lesser SLS GT. A tweaked ECU with a raised redline, improved valvetrain, and the various intake duct modifications help facilitate the increase in power. To deal with the extra heat that comes with adding power, the Black Series gets upgraded cooling systems for both the engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is dropped 0.4 inches for a lower center of gravity. The use of lightweight materials like titanium and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic help keep weight down more than 150 pounds. An adjustable carbon fiber rear wing is available with the aerodynamics package, and helps provide downforce.With these upgrades, Mercedes estimates the SLS Black Series will hit 60 mph from a standstill in 3.5 seconds, though given the standard SLS coupe posted a 3.6-second time in our tests, that figure may be on the conservative side.

At the press conference, AMG chief Ola Kaellenius stressed that California is a major market for the factory tuning wing, saying that nearly 30 percent of all AMG models are bought in the Golden State. Those sales have been bolstered by new products like the SLK55, G63, and twin-turbo V-12-powered SL65. Joining the lineup in the first quarter of 2013 will be the GL63, followed by the SLS Black Series in limited numbers next summer.